CBU Sweeps Freshman of the Year and Earns Men's Coach of the Year at the WAC Year-End Awards
11/12/2024 1:00:00 PM | Cross Country & Track
ARLINGTON--- The Western Athletic Conference announced its annual cross-country awards with California Baptist University, taking home both Freshman of the Year honors and the men's Coach of the Year.
Zouhair Redouane and Ava Dyck swept the Freshman of the Year honors after incredible first seasons in Riverside. Redouane was the top finisher in every race he competed in for the Lancers, including being the individual champion at the UCR Invite and the Mark Covert Invitational. Zouhair was thrice named the WAC Runner of the Week and finished 10th at the NCAA Pre-Nationals in a loaded field. Redouane paced the Lancers with a third-place finish at the WAC Championships and helped CBU win its fifth-straight title. Redouane posted a personal best time of 22:45.8 at the Joe Piane Invite, helping the men take the third in the competition.
Dyck was a bright spot for the Lancers on the women's side as a true freshman. Dyck took 5th at the UCR Invitational to begin her season and brought home First-Team All-WAC honors for the women at the WAC Championships. Her 10th-place finish at WAC helped the women finish as the runner-up in the race behind only Utah Valley. Dyck was also ultra-impressive at the NCAA Pre-Nationals, posting a 14th-place finish with a time of 20:52.1 in the Women's 6K.
Finally, first-year Head Coach Sean Smith was named the Men's Cross-Country Coach of the Year, marking the 4th time a CBU coach has taken home the honors. Coach Smith spent his previous season as the head coach at Azusa Pacific and made an instant impact with the men's team at CBU. Under Smith's guidance, the men have been ranked as high as 14th in the National poll this season and have submitted impressive performances at NCAA Pre-Nationals, Joe Piane Invite, and the WAC Championships. Smith earned his first trophy as the head man in Orem, Utah, coaching the men to their 5th consecutive title in the 8K.
The Lancers will be back in action on Friday, November 15, as they head to Calfoax, Washington, for the NCAA DI West Regionals.
Zouhair Redouane and Ava Dyck swept the Freshman of the Year honors after incredible first seasons in Riverside. Redouane was the top finisher in every race he competed in for the Lancers, including being the individual champion at the UCR Invite and the Mark Covert Invitational. Zouhair was thrice named the WAC Runner of the Week and finished 10th at the NCAA Pre-Nationals in a loaded field. Redouane paced the Lancers with a third-place finish at the WAC Championships and helped CBU win its fifth-straight title. Redouane posted a personal best time of 22:45.8 at the Joe Piane Invite, helping the men take the third in the competition.
Dyck was a bright spot for the Lancers on the women's side as a true freshman. Dyck took 5th at the UCR Invitational to begin her season and brought home First-Team All-WAC honors for the women at the WAC Championships. Her 10th-place finish at WAC helped the women finish as the runner-up in the race behind only Utah Valley. Dyck was also ultra-impressive at the NCAA Pre-Nationals, posting a 14th-place finish with a time of 20:52.1 in the Women's 6K.
Finally, first-year Head Coach Sean Smith was named the Men's Cross-Country Coach of the Year, marking the 4th time a CBU coach has taken home the honors. Coach Smith spent his previous season as the head coach at Azusa Pacific and made an instant impact with the men's team at CBU. Under Smith's guidance, the men have been ranked as high as 14th in the National poll this season and have submitted impressive performances at NCAA Pre-Nationals, Joe Piane Invite, and the WAC Championships. Smith earned his first trophy as the head man in Orem, Utah, coaching the men to their 5th consecutive title in the 8K.
The Lancers will be back in action on Friday, November 15, as they head to Calfoax, Washington, for the NCAA DI West Regionals.
Players Mentioned
/ Cross Country & Track
/ Cross Country & Track
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